Joe E Parker Seeds
Bright, mild, reliable

Joe E Parker Chilli Seeds

Joe E Parker Chilli Seeds

Bright, mild, reliable:Heat Level: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Joe E. Parker is a New Mexico–bred Capsicum annuum developed at NMSU as an improved, consistent form of the traditional Anaheim-type chilli.

Plants raised from seed grow into upright, productive forms and set long, smooth pods that mature from green to red. The flavour is mild to medium, depending on harvest stage, with the green pods giving a bright capsicum taste and the red pods becoming sweeter and fuller.

Pods typically reach 15–20 cm in length with thick walls and a uniform shape, which is why this variety has long been used in roasting, stuffing and drying. From seed, germination is usually reliable, and the plants establish quickly in warmth, showing the characteristic fast early growth of New Mexican varieties.

As the season progresses, the pods hang heavily along the branches, giving the plants a noticeably laden appearance when production is at its peak.

Joe E. Parker holds an established place in the New Mexican chilli group, offering the classic Anaheim style but with improved uniformity, stronger pod set and predictable heat levels.

Additional Information

▶ Packet Contents: Ten seeds per packet.

▶ Species: Capsicum annuum

▶ Heat Level: Typically 1,000–3,000 SHU

▶ Germination: 7–14 days at 24–28°C; New Mexican types are generally reliable starters

▶ Seedling Growth: Fast, upright early growth; seedlings move quickly into vegetative stage

▶ Plant Habit: Upright plants commonly 60–80 cm tall, sometimes taller under glass

▶ Fruit Appearance: Long, smooth pods 15–20 cm, ripening from green to red

▶ Flavour Profile: Mild to medium heat; bright green flavour when unripe, sweeter when red

▶ Growing Conditions: Benefits from warm, bright positions; typical of New Mexican cultivars

▶ Time to Harvest: Roughly 70–90 days from transplanting; around 100–130 days from sowing

▶ Origin: Developed at New Mexico State University as a refined Anaheim-type variety

▶ How to Grow Chillies: Includes my free 28-page booklet “How to Grow Chillies” with every seed order

Coir Blocks

Classic Hots

Record-breakers

Cooks' Collection

World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

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▶ 1. Easy to Grow: Some chillies are just a joy to grow — compact, reliable, and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk at the first sign of wind (1). I’ve given higher scores to the ones that do well here in the UK.

▶ 2. Ornamental Quality: A few of these are real show-offs, with pods that look like jewels or dramatic foliage that turns heads. Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look on the patio or in the greenhouse.

▶ 3. Heat Level: This isn’t a technical SHU score — it’s just a kitchen-friendly 1 to 5. A 1 means very mild (like a jalapeño), a 5 is properly hot (think Bhut Jolokia). It should help you judge what you’re in for!

▶ 4. Hardiness: How well do they cope with our unpredictable summers? I’ve given higher scores to the tough ones that keep going through cool nights, wind, or patchy weather without much fuss.

▶ 5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, stuffing or powders — others look good but don’t end up in many meals. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

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